How do you clean blood stains?

A:

Quick Answer

Clean blood stains by blotting the fabric, soaking the fabric in cold water or saline solution, working the stain out by hand and machine-washing the fabric in cold water. Dab hydrogen peroxide on stubborn stains.

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Blot the stained fabric with a towel to remove as much blood as possible. Do not scrub the stain, as scrubbing can rub the blood into the fibers. Blot from the outside of the stain to the center to keep the stain from spreading. Fill a large bowl with cold water and let the stained fabric soak in the cold water.

After soaking for a while, try to agitate the stain around to loosen it. Utilizing detergent can help this process. If the stain persists, soak the fabric overnight in cold water.

For stubborn stains, make a saline solution with one cup of salt and two quarts of water. Soak fabric in the solution for 30 minutes. Use a mild bar soap on the stain and rub the fabric together. If the stain is still there, dab it with hydrogen peroxide and rinse. Wash fabric in cold water following removal of the stain.

Air-dry the fabric after washing and ensure no visible stain remains. Any stain still present is fixed and set after being in a dryer.